Should we be doing stuff or nothing

Hi jrandall10,

  Can you define SPD as it has more than one meaning I believe. I'm assuming you mean Sensory Processing Disorder.

If I've understood you correctly, I gather what you are asking is should you treat your daughter as though she is 'Normal.' I'm assuming you mean to treat her as you would treat a neurotypical child?

I have two children on the spectrum who also have co-occuring specific learning difficulties and both are completely different. Over the years what has worked for one hasn't always worked for the other child, even when dealing with very similar disabilities.

What I've always insisted on though, is to focus on the positive things that both children can do. Boosting moral and self-esteem is all about helping a child realize what they do well. In my own boys experience it's clear their severe dyslexia was always going to be an issue, but finding ways to overcome that barrier is about opening doors and enabling.

As people we have many complex facets and if you have difficulties it pays to work on helping to overcome them all, how you go about that is entirely up to you, their are no rules. Does your daughter have a statement or EHC plan? is she getting support at School or from the local NHS services? Have you had advice about your child level of need?

Remarkable things are possible with the right support. My son has gone from a School refuser and to a College student studying A Levels despite his disability. In approaching support of a child on the spectrum you must believe that anything is possible and hold onto the fact that the greater the support and intevention the child has when young, the greater the likelyhood that they will be able to attain.

My advice would be to do everything you can! If not you may never know.

I wish you all the luck..

Hi jrandall10,

  Can you define SPD as it has more than one meaning I believe. I'm assuming you mean Sensory Processing Disorder.

If I've understood you correctly, I gather what you are asking is should you treat your daughter as though she is 'Normal.' I'm assuming you mean to treat her as you would treat a neurotypical child?

I have two children on the spectrum who also have co-occuring specific learning difficulties and both are completely different. Over the years what has worked for one hasn't always worked for the other child, even when dealing with very similar disabilities.

What I've always insisted on though, is to focus on the positive things that both children can do. Boosting moral and self-esteem is all about helping a child realize what they do well. In my own boys experience it's clear their severe dyslexia was always going to be an issue, but finding ways to overcome that barrier is about opening doors and enabling.

As people we have many complex facets and if you have difficulties it pays to work on helping to overcome them all, how you go about that is entirely up to you, their are no rules. Does your daughter have a statement or EHC plan? is she getting support at School or from the local NHS services? Have you had advice about your child level of need?

Remarkable things are possible with the right support. My son has gone from a School refuser and to a College student studying A Levels despite his disability. In approaching support of a child on the spectrum you must believe that anything is possible and hold onto the fact that the greater the support and intevention the child has when young, the greater the likelyhood that they will be able to attain.

My advice would be to do everything you can! If not you may never know.

I wish you all the luck..